“I thought both defenses played well”, said Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo, “but turnovers were the key”.
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But it did not always seem that easy.
Reynolds is the first Navy quarterback to ever go 4-0 against Army.
On the ensuing Navy drive, Jamir Tillman made a nice grab on a 35 yard completion, but the drive stalled at the Army 38 and Alex Barta pinned the Black Knights inside their 10. Will he take over today’s game when No. 21 Navy faces Army in their annual rivalry game? In the end, Navy and the Midshipmen sang second, sending Army home for another long, dark bus ride to West Point. He rushed for 141 yards and two touchdowns.
Billed as “America’s Game”, Navy (9-2) has defeated Army (2-9) a series-best 13 straight times and 15 of the last 16 games.
The 31 combined points between Army and Navy were the most scored in the first half of this game since 1998, as Army has a surprising halftime lead despite being 22-point underdogs.
Monken said former Navy coach Paul Johnson was responsible for building a winning culture that not only allowed the Mids to dominate the series, but become a Top 25 team. Niumatalolo is 67-37 as head coach of the Midshipmen, and over the last four years he has benefited from the presence of quarterback Keenan Reynolds, a ideal fit for the option offense and one of the best players in school history.
Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds (19) rushes during an NCAA college football game against Army Saturday, Dec. 12, …
“We get to go to the White House this year and get our trophy back”, Reynolds said. Navy looked primed to run the clock out, but the Army defense forced the Midshipmen to punt. Reynolds completed 6 of 14 passes for 113 yards and a score.
Army topped its rivals with 17 different helmets, representing the 17 branches cadets can enter after graduation. He then adds flat-out: “I know we’re going to win”.
Many didn’t expect such a tight game, especially after Reynolds sprinted to a 58-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter giving the Midshipmen a 7-3 lead.
Navy has a won themselves a Military Bowl slot against Pitt of the AAC.
Niumatalolo improved to 8-0 against the Black Knights two days before he is set to visit BYU to talk about the program’s coaching vacancy.
Army’s Edgar Poe had a career day, as the junior receiver caught five passes for 121 yards and a touchdown. The Midshipmen are 55-4 during that same stretch when taking a lead into the fourth quarter.
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News broke Thursday night from Niumatalolo’s agent, Evan Beard, that Niumatalolo will travel to Utah on Monday to meet with BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe. Niumatalolo explained why he announced his potential interest ahead of the Army-Navy Game. “We’ve got to recruit, we’ve got to push forward”.
